Here we we go again................

[Flat 10]

Leaving huge areas until mid October for blackgrass and bydv is costing farmers millions. Rightly or wrongly we are 70% drilled up all no till and if blackgrass comes up we will use the inter row hoe. We have not had that much rain here compared to most and the cultivated land (I have 70ha, deep subsoiled then disced) has turned into utter slop. Dd’d and catch crop land in lovely fettle. Round here for most it will be another year of wrecking soil structure puddling about in the wet or in the spring.

Hoes need dry weather too.....

 

[ajd132]

Hoes need dry weather too.....

Hoe in the spring! With no till and plenty of spring crops in the rotation now it should not be needed anyway, perhaps just on hot spots.

 

[Surgery]

An extra 4 inches would have come in handy if playing the part of Ron Jeremy in a documentary , an extra 4 inches of fooking water on the other hand , ffs.

 

[yellow belly]

lesson learnt last year was patience doesn't always pay and it doesn't always get better !

My only regret last years was not pushing on earlier and engaging "plan B" wet weather drill sooner !

Your soil type gives you a bit more leeway
Heavy land mauled about takes more than 1 year to be repaired

 

[teslacoils]

Hmm. Have taken off my "only early October" hat. Put my "oh dear" hat in the wash, just in case .

 

[GeorgeK]

Hmm. Have taken off my "only early October" hat. Put my "oh dear" hat in the wash, just in case .

Hope you have a tumble dryer, won't be drying on the washing line

 

[snarling bee]

So probably the same questions as last year.................

1) How late can you sensibly drill winter barley (to use up overyeared hybrid seed)?
2) When do we start broadcasting?

 

[teslacoils]

1) last week.
2) next week.

 

[Renaultman]

Forecast looks ok for next week

Now where have I seen that before?

 

[teslacoils]

Forecast looks ok for next week

Now where have I seen that before?

Indeed. Yesterday it was drying nicely and even the predicted bit of rain would only slow it. But pour all night it did. Was expecting to be drilling on Tuesday. Now maybe next Saturday.

 

[redsloe]

1) last week.
2) next week.

Well, what advice is that? What am I supposed to do tomorrow?

Don't answer that....it's going to rain.
We haven't had a dry day since last Tuesday.

 

[teslacoils]

Well, what advice is that? What am I supposed to do tomorrow?

Don't answer that....it's going to rain.
We haven't had a dry day since last Tuesday.☹

It's taken from the BBC "how to forecast the weather for dummies" book.

 

[Brisel]

So probably the same questions as last year.................

1) How late can you sensibly drill winter barley (to use up overyeared hybrid seed)?
2) When do we start broadcasting?

1) 1st week in November, though the regional NIAB TAG agronomist up here says next week is the point at which to consider switching from winters to springs for conventionals and another couple of weeks later for hybrids.
2) whenever you like with rain in the forecast, though treated seed needs to be buried according to the label.

 

[nick...]

Some land here yesterday had started to haze with the strong winds.i even cut all the grass round the yard.just looked at rain guage and another 9mm overnight with more forecast.had well over an inch since 1ST October.fingers crossed for next week
nick...

 

[Longneck]

Seriously considering broadcasting seed with the fert spreader and tickling it in with the spring tine.. Not done it before tho, am i mad? Even if i just get the winter barley done I will feel better.

 

[teslacoils]

Big, big lakes on the new grass field. All very predictably disappointing for the dry east of England.

 

[teslacoils]

Seriously considering broadcasting seed with the fert spreader and tickling it in with the spring tine.. Not done it before tho, am i mad? Even if i just get the winter barley done I will feel better.

Get it done earlier rather than later. Will reduce preem choices.

 

[An Gof]

Well, what advice is that? What am I supposed to do tomorrow?

Don't answer that....it's going to rain.
We haven't had a dry day since last Tuesday.☹

its absolutely pants here again in Cornwall. Heaven help us if it turns out same as last year through rest of October, November and December.
Still plenty of time to drill WB down here. Drilled last years in December, not through choice an we had a crop ... of sorts.

 

[Chuckie]

Some land here yesterday had started to haze with the strong winds.i even cut all the grass round the yard.just looked at rain guage and another 9mm overnight with more forecast.had well over an inch since 1ST October.fingers crossed for next week
nick...

Well over an inch would be grand, in this bit of Lancashire we are over 5 inches for October already

 

[Gong Farmer]

1) 1st week in November, though the regional NIAB TAG agronomist up here says next week is the point at which to consider switching from winters to springs for conventionals and another couple of weeks later for hybrids.
2) whenever you like with rain in the forecast, though treated seed needs to be buried according to the label.

1) What does he know? Er, actually I'd agree but for 'first week in Nov' I'd say '1st of November'

2) Broadcasting also removes any opportunity for pre-em weed control, though I know growers who have got away with it.